Categories: >Biking

Horizontal Bike Flag is NOT worth the dork factor!

When I set out for a bike ride last Friday, I had envisioned the title for this blog to be “My coolness outweighs the dorkiness of this flag”. Well, of course, I am cool on my bike despite any dorky accessories; however, this flag idea was a total flop. Read on…

I’d been mulling over the idea of buying one of these horizontal bike flags for about a year. I’m so sick of the idiots out there on the road. My thought was that having a flag would make me more visible, and send a clear message to drivers: “this is how much room I need when you pass”. Still, I wondered why I never see serious cyclists using the flag – only old geezers on touring bikes.

I finally decided to order one… got it from http://www.flashback.ca/bicycle.html . As soon as it arrived, I discovered one reason why I rarely see roadies using them. They are made to mount on a very skinny tube – probably mounts easily on a touring rack. It didn’t fit on any tube on my bike, so I had to do some serious jury-rigging to get it mounted to my bike AND not interfere with my pedal stroke. BTW – PVC pipe works wonders for many things – it’s like playing with tinker toys!

Here was my thought process as I rode on Friday with the dorkflag, er, I mean flashflag:

It’s going to be so great riding without having to worry about all the idiots. I’ll be able to completely focus on my riding.

Yippie, I can stay down in my aero bars even on busy roads. (actually, I think this IS true)

Hmmm, those cars aren’t leaving as much room as I’d hoped. Well, at least no idiot truck drivers yet!

HEY- didn’t that pick-up truck see me and my dorky flag?

WTF – what’s up with these trucks?!

#@$#@%^$&% ASS HOLE SUV ROAD HOG -_-*,,|,

My next project will look something like this:

My conclusion is that the flag does not help at all. In fact, I think it made matters WORSE. I think drivers see the flag and think ‘Oh, as long as I don’t hit the flag, I’m good to pass as close as I possibly can’. But, if you look at the picture above, you can see that the flag only goes out as far as my handlebars. So, coming close the flag means coming close to the handlebars – which is too damn close!!

I briefly considered using more PVC tubing with an elbow joint to make the flag stick out farther, but, NAH, I’ll stick with the sentiment expressed in today’s blog title: “A Horizontal Bike Flag is NOT worth the dork factor!” The only thing that seems to work is riding farther out in the lane. I believe it is safer even tho it does not feel safer – it forces cars to slow way down because they have to wait until there is no oncoming traffic to pass.

PS: I wasn’t going to write about this at all. To be honest, I’m embarrassed about the whole ordeal. In the end, I swallowed my pride in hopes that it might save someone else the trouble of trying it.

PSS: Anyone want to buy a Horizontal flash flag? TeeHee

carolyahoo

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View Comments

Brian says:

June 28, 2015 at 7:55 pm

Thanks for sharing your experience. I understand your frustration. I feel that even 3 ft. is too close. Have you tried attaching a bolt at the end or an aluminum bar. The idea is that when drivers see it, they want to avoid scratching their cars. If you do this, you will want the end filed. You might also need fluorescent yield symbols behind your bike.
Guillaume says:

August 15, 2010 at 12:57 am

I disagree with you, horizontal bike flag is the best product to stay cars away from you on bike road. The reason is simple drivers do not want any scratch on the side of their car. Then they stay much more away from you then without using the flag.

But from my own experience of many years you should buy the 17'' model at http://www.flashback.ca (not the 14'' which is a little bit too short).
siouxgeonz says:

March 2, 2010 at 10:03 pm

WOw... I had pretty much the opposite experience. I have cars waiting behind me to pass me going over overpasses and when I ride my snow bike without a flag, I have to remember to move further out into the lane to keep from getting buzzed. Wonder what the mystery factor of road design or the driving culture where you are is... or p'raps you're just not dorky *enough*!!!
Lol says:

July 16, 2008 at 1:01 pm

That's why I put an air horn on my bike. It's a riot to see the idiot drivers get scared when I blow it at them for driving like they do.
Bob Little says:

April 30, 2008 at 5:39 pm

I had quite a laugh!

Just had a truck last night on a group ride nearly run me off the rode. I fell back from the group twenty yards. He wanted to pass, so he passed me and decided he didn;t want to pass the group yet, slows down so he pulls up next to me gets real close then honks the horn as if I'm in his way. Then as I'm ready to give him a piece of my mind he hits the gas and pulls away and passes the group.

I'm just glad we can laugh at this.

Bob
Steve says:

April 28, 2008 at 2:47 am

I have to say, I have a similar problem with traffic coming too close. I know that here in the U.K. you can get reflectors with a longer arm, similar to your dorky flag, I used to have one as a kid. Again, drivers don't make any allowance for movement by cyclists and think that as long as they're close to the flag/reflector everything is ok... I've taken to using my lights during the day and wearing reflective gear ALL the time. It helps a bit as does riding further out into the lane. To be honest, I would advise not to ride further out unless you increase your visibility at the same time. I guess my hi-viz gear makes me look even more dorky but it does seem to help. Maybe you could put the flag on your helmet?! Safe cycling!